Dem Pigs

 We have several games at our house that we've collected over the years.  When the kids come by sometimes we'll get one or two out and play them for a while, it's fun.  We have one that we've had for quite some time that is an old favorite.  The game has been around for a while and there are several versions out there.  Ours is called Pig Mania.

Out of curiosity, the other day we looked to see what the game sells for.  Himbeere's friend had never played it before and liked it enough that she thought about them getting the game.  We were surprised to learn that the original game, introduced in 1977, can sell for over $175 if it's in good shape and all the pieces are there.  Alas, ours is not in that good a shape.  We were never in it as collectors, we were just looking for a fun game.

Way back then, when we bought a new game we would often write the date, name, and score of the winner of the first game in the lid to the box.  Then we'd sometimes write each time someone got a new high score.  The first game in our box lid was played December 31, 1984.  I won with a high score of 135, the first one to 100 wins.  

Instead of dice, there are two little pigs that are "rolled".  The different ways the pigs land are worth different points.  There are several versions of the game and several versions to the rules.  It's a fun game, surprisingly suspenseful as you can keep rolling to build up your score as long as you want, or until you roll a "pig out" and lose all the points you may have accumulated in that turn.

We've played this with Himbeere and his friend the last several times they've come over, we all like it.

"Snouters" are less common and worth more.

"Razor backs" are pretty common and worth less.

Yeah, razor backs are pretty common.

"Double razor back" are fun.

"Leaning jowlers" are pretty rare and worth the most, until you start getting into the "mixed combos" that are worth the combined score of whatever the combination might be.  When we play with Himbeere whoever gets to 100 first wins but we usually have everyone else keep going to 100 and see who gets the highest score as well.  That's fun.

Everyone's courage usually begins to wane once you've scored 20 or more points, that begins to feel like a lot of points to lose if you roll a pig out, which happens more than you'd think.  It's a fun game, a good time.